I'm sad: I'm really going to miss Meira even though she wasn't that central of a character. She means a lot to me because she helped Andromeda so much in the beginning and gave her some good advice. Meira even helped Dora out when she first learned that she was a half-blood. She's the best kind of mother-in-law, and therefore was honoured by Andromeda with the title of "mother." RIP Meira. We love you.

Trixie Black Lestrange

The next morning, Andromeda and Nymphadora greeted Regulus at the door of the mansion and let him in. Dora had been concerned about whether her mother could handle the situation, but Andromeda appeared to be fine.

"Thank you," Andromeda said to her cousin as the two retired to the sitting room and left Dora to stay with Arielle.

"Aren't you sad?" Arielle asked her sister in confusion. "I know Mum is."

"Of course I am," Dora sighed. "I loved Nan. But I'm more quiet: I don't express everything I feel."

"You do when you're angry," Arielle pointed out.

Dora grinned. "That doesn't count," she said. "I like people to know when I'm mad because it scares them."

"Mum said she wants you to go with her to Hogwarts to bring Athena and Laverne home for a couple days," Arielle told her sister. "Do you think they'll be upset, too?

"Of course they will: it's their grandmother too," Dora answered. "Meira's been around since the beginning of us, you know."

Arielle nodded, and Dora said, "Hey, why don't I teach you a new curse while we wait for Mum and Regulus to finish the plans?"

"Okay," Arielle agreed after a moment, and the two hurried off.

A while later, Andromeda said goodbye to Regulus and went to retrieve Nymphadora for their journey to Hogwarts. Arielle watched them leave without saying a word.

When they apparated onto the bridge, Nymphadora hesitated, then said, "You know, it wasn't until after your dad died that I could see thestrals."

"Well, yes, that would be true." Andromeda couldn't help smirking as she remembered murdering her own father. "I didn't realise I could see thestrals until the death of your father, when I came here to try to make you behave." She laughed at this.

"Well that's lovely," Dora said. "My father's responsible for your seeing them, and your father's responsible for my seeing them."

Andromeda and Dora laughed together as they walked up to the castle through the courtyard. "We've got to go see Dumbledore before we go to the children."

"Great," Dora rolled her eyes. "At least I'm not here for misbehaviour this time."

"Yes," Andromeda agreed. "Well, the sooner this is done, the better."

The two walked through the school, ignoring the stares of the children who clearly recognised Dora. Lauren Avery came up to them at one point and after greeting them asked, "Are you here to see Athena, or Laverne?"

"Both," Dora answered. "But we've got to pop by the headmaster's office first."

"Oh dear," Lauren said in concern. "Well, Athena is in Transfiguration and Laverne's in Potions, I believe."

"Thank you, dear," Andromeda said, excusing herself and Dora.

They made it to Dumbledore's office, but it took Nymphadora nearly five minutes to guess the password. "I'm guessing you have experience with that?" Andromeda said, raising an eyebrow at her oldest daughter as they ascended the stairs.

"A little," Dora smirked, falling silent as they stopped at the door. Andromeda knocked, then opened the door when they were given permission to enter.

"Ah, Madame Lestrange," Dumbledore said politely, looking past her. "And Nymphadora.

"Headmaster," the two women said at the same time. Andromeda did not look at her daughter before stating, "My husband's mother has died, and we've come to remove Athena and Laverne from the school for a few days."

"Of course," said Dumbledore. "I can have them retrieved from their classes very easily. Where would you like them to meet you?"

"Clocktower Courtyard," Andromeda answered. She knew it was close enough to the Entrance Hall to be able to escape quickly if either of her children reacted badly to her news.

"Very well," Dumbledore said. "I'll send their professors a note and they'll be on their way. My condolences to your family, of course."

Andromeda merely nodded, turning and leaving the room with Dora after her. They walked to the courtyard in silence and sat down by the fountain to wait for Athena and Laverne. It didn't take long before Athena entered the courtyard, but Laverne took a little while to get there.

"What's going on?" Laverne asked, striding forward to greet his mother and older sisters.

"Nan's gone," Dora said quietly, looking between her younger siblings.

Athena's eyes widened in shock. "No…."

Andromeda looked between the two middle children and sighed, "It's true, dear. Meira passed away late last night. Lacey came and woke me up to go see about it."

Laverne stepped forward and slipped his arm around his mother, giving her a small hug even as he looked away from her so she couldn't really see his face. She knew he was frowning, saddened at the news; the boy really did have the mannerisms of his father. "We're going home with you, right?" he asked her. "Is Arielle all right?"

"We're all in shock," Andromeda murmured. "Let's go. It'll be easier to talk at home."

They walked away from the castle, past the apparition wards so she could apparate them home. Dora disapparated before them, and Andromeda followed with the younger two, glad that Regulus had taken it upon himself to teach Nymphadora some practical things as well. Athena was now tearing up as she looked toward the gates of their manor, and Dora wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders.

"The ceremony won't be until tomorrow," Dora said as they walked through the gates and entered the house, being approached cautiously by Arielle. "Nan's had a good long life. Hopefully we didn't give her too much trouble. None of you have caused as much drama as I have."

"True," Andromeda agreed simply, then said, "I suggest you two settle in, have a walk around the garden or something, then come down to the kitchen and have a cup of tea. It's best to let things sink in for a few moments: we need to be partially gathered for the burial."

At this, Athena turned and walked away, Dora quickly following her. The two girls were silent for a few moments until Athena said, "Did—did you see her?"

"Barely," said Dora quietly. "I think she went peacefully: she passed away in her sleep. Mum had quite the shock, though. I had to pull Mum away because I thought she was going to collapse, so I didn't really look at Nan before the house elves began to take care of her."

"I can't believe she's gone," Athena whispered. "It doesn't seem real. I wish I'd been here to be with you and Mum."

"It can't be helped," Dora sighed, squeezing her sister gently. "You've got to go to school, and we all know that. It's just our generation now, except for Mother. It's a good thing she's got Cissa and Regulus. I don't know what she'd do right now if she didn't have them."

"She'd be the same," Athena said with conviction. "She'd do her best for us no matter what."

Dora agreed. "We've got to make sure that she's okay tomorrow, though. I don't want her to faint or something like she did at your father's trial."

Athena turned to look at her older sister. "Wait. You were there?"

"Yeah," Dora shrugged. "Mum did fine until they were given to the Dementors, and then she fell, and I think Regulus caught her, or maybe she actually hit the floor. I don't really remember that part. Mum's pretty strong, but Meira's meant a lot to her, and to all of us."

"I'll help keep an eye on Mother as much as I'll be able to," Athena volunteered with a strained smile. "...I still can't believe it."

"Me either," Dora sighed, shaking her head. "Me either."

Both girl watched their mother carefully during the funeral, but Andromeda gave no sign of distress, even when their Nan's body was burned and the ashes were gathered into an intricately carved wooden box to be taken to the Lestrange tombs. Andromeda apparated with Arielle and Laverne, and Dora disapparated with Athena, the box held tightly against herself.

The moment they arrived, Arielle frowned. "Won't there be wards on it, Mum?" she asked.

"There are," Andromeda said quietly. "But you have access through the blood ward and Dora and I have permission because Meira added us to the ward when your granddad died."

"They're together now," Athena nodded, looking at the box in her older sister's hands.

"Yeah," Dora murmured, holding out the box to her mother.

Andromeda shook her head. "Laverne's got to do it, remember?"

Dora turned to her brother, and Laverne reached out, taking the box and turning to his mother with a questioning look. "Lead the way, Mum," he requested.

She led her four children over to the alcove when they had laid Desmond Lestrange's ashes to rest not many years before, and indicated to Laverne where to place the box. The young boy solemnly slid the box into the opening in the wall, stepping back to stand by the rest of his siblings.

"Nan," Arielle whispered. "We'll miss you."

Athena bowed her head slightly, and Andromeda slipped her arm around her second daughter, hugging her to her side. "She was kind," Athena whispered. "No one knew her like we did."

"She was the best kind of mother," Andromeda murmured. "She was my mother after mine refused to speak to me anymore."

"Well, your mother was a bitch," Dora pointed out, and Laverne gave his oldest sister a reproachful look. Dora sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't spend more time with Nan."

"We loved her," Athena sniffed, brushing away a tear as they stood there. "I guess this is when our family moves on, isn't it?"

"Ready for the next generation," Andromeda agreed, giving her fourteen year old son a small smile. "Let's go home, dears."

They all trudged out of the tomb, Athena still wiping away tears as Arielle handed her a handkerchief. "I can't believe it," she said, shaking her head slightly.

Laverne looked over at her. "I don't think it'll sink in for a while, maybe until we get back for the summer," he said. "It's okay."

Athena nodded, and the family disapparated to their home.

"Dad, where are you going?"

Regulus Black turned to see his young daughter running toward him. "Astrid," he said, smiling as she wrapped her arms around him as high as she could reach.

Her face turned up toward his, a knowing look in her eyes. "Where are you going?" she asked again.

"I'm going to go see our cousins," he told her, knowing it was no use to stall his answer. "I'm going to take Dora to the Ministry because she wants to work there."

Astrid wrinkled her nose. "Dora's weird," she stated. "Be careful."

Regulus chuckled at the little girl's warning, gently ruffling her hair as he said, "We must always be careful, Love. Run along now; it won't do for me to be late."

Astrid grinned and hurried away from her father, who quickly left for Lestrange Manor. Regulus did not wait very long before the gates were opened and Dora met him there.

"Nymphadora," he greeted her. "Ready to go? Are you nervous, or excited?"

"Both," Dora said indifferently. "I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm trained and used to the different things."

"Of course," Regulus agreed, offering his arm to her. "If you'll do me the honour, Miss Lestrange."

Nymphadora rolled her eyes at him but took his arm all the same. "My pleasure, dear cousin."

They disapparated, and the moment they arrived, people turned to look at them. Nymphadora did not flinch, but moved her hands to her sides and walked with him toward the lifts. They got into one of the lifts alone except for a few memos flying around overhead.

"I'm sure you know," Regulus said conversationally, "but it is fairly dark down at the Department of Mysteries. It is not my favourite place, but I've heard that the Unspeakables do interesting things."

"Prophecies and experimentation," Dora grinned girlishly. "I think that sounds entertaining enough for me."

Regulus raised an eyebrow and led Dora out of the lift and down the hall, turning to her when she hesitated. "The last time I was down here…."

"The trial," Regulus murmured. "Well, you'll not be working in the courtrooms, so don't concern yourself about that."

They continued down the hall and someone stepped out of a room. "Regulus," the man said, stepping forward to shake his hand before looking at Dora. "This must be Nymphadora Lestrange. I've heard stories about your school days."

"Not too boring, I hope," Dora replied.

"Not at all," the man said, his gaze boring into the young woman. "Regulus speaks highly of you, however, so we'll see how you work out. Keeping an even temper is important for any work relationship, you know."

"Of course," Dora answered.

Regulus glanced between them. "Why, I didn't even introduce you," he said. "Dora, this is Broderick Bode, one of the senior Unspeakables working in the Department of Mysteries. And yes, this is Nymphadora Lestrange, my cousin's daughter."

"I believe she'll do, but we'll see, as I said," Bode said. "Report here to me on Monday, Miss Lestrange."

"Very well," Dora agreed. "Thank you for your time."

Neither Dora nor Regulus spoke as they left the Ministry, disapparating to Black Manor. "Your reputation precedes you," he smirked as he led the way into the house.

Dora rolled her eyes. "I am perfectly well-be—"

"DORA!" There was a patter of feet and five year old Astrid Black crashed into Dora, nearly knocking her over.

"Astrid!" the slightly exasperated-looking mother of the child appeared, Astrid's little brother following her. "I told you—oh, hello, Dora. How did it go?"

"Well, I'm reporting back Monday," Dora answered. "I won't know much more until then. We just went and met one of the Unspeakables."

"Dora, come play," Astrid insisted. "Janner just wants to fly that new broom he got and I'm bored."

Nymphadora couldn't help laughing at this. "You sound like me," she said. "I used to have that problem with my little brothers and sisters."

Tessa sighed, glancing at her reflection in the one of the panes of glass on the cabinet near them. "I've got several ladies joining me for tea in an hour," she said. "You can stay and play with the children if you want, but you'll have to stay upstairs with them and please soundward the room."

"Oh," Dora said. "Well, all right. Is Mum coming over?"

"Yes," Tessa answered. "Reg, if you wouldn't mind taking Janner outside to fly for a little while before the children have to go upstairs?"

Regulus looked down at his two-year-old son and smiled. "All right."

"Yay!" Janner grinned, running down the hall and shouting something that Dora didn't quite understand.

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Come on," she ordered her oldest cousin. "I've got something to show you." Dora turned and winked at Tessa before following the little girl away upstairs.